LAS CRUCES - Students enrolled in the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine’s 10-month, post-baccalaureate Foundations in Biomedical Science program, spent the month of May collecting nearly 400 new clothing items to benefit students at Booker T. Washington Elementary School.

“As the program’s inaugural class, we wanted to show our support for the community here in Las Cruces,” said Kaitlyn Mohan, a program graduate and the clothing drive organizer. “The Burrell students, staff, and faculty were all very supportive of the drive, and I’m hoping this is something which will continue on with the next class of students.”

The Perfect Pair Share clothing drive collected 92 new pairs of girls’ socks, 101 new pairs of boys’ socks and 194 new pairs of assorted underwear.

“We’re grateful for their support, and it’s been an honor to establish a collaborative partnership with such talented and compassionate future healthcare professionals.”

LCPS Director of Health Services Sandy Peugh

“For these students to organize a clothing drive, on top of all of their other responsibilities, really speaks to their outstanding character,” said LCPS Director of Health Services Sandy Peugh. “We’re grateful for their support, and it’s been an honor to establish a collaborative partnership with such talented and compassionate future healthcare professionals.”

Peugh explained that elementary schools have an ongoing need for new socks and underwear since, “occasionally students need replacement undergarments if they have an ‘accident’ at school. Maintaining a supply of new socks and underwear allows the school nurses to provide the students with the resources they need to help minimize embarrassment and lost instructional time.”

Peugh went on to explain that Booker T. Washington Elementary School was selected to receive the donations since the nurse at the school had previously used her own out-of-pocket pay to purchase similar clothing items for students.

The Foundations in Biomedical Science program is a graduate curriculum taught by BCOM medical school faculty and designed specifically to assist students in strengthening their credentials as medical school applicants.